The Significance of HLA-antigens in dermatology

Hutnan leukocyte antigens group A (HLA) have been indicated to have sone degree ofassociationwithvarious skin diseases. Low to ,troderate relative risk revealed in previous studies needs to be clarified by sitnilar studies in other populations. Such an atterilpt has been organiTed in the International Histoconpatibility Workshop and Conference. The paper discussed the significance of HLA in dennatology, both the association of HIÀ and various skin diseases and several other ospects of HlÀ expression on skin conponents. Our prelitninary study in psoriasis v,ith linkage disequilibriwn analysis, saggested the association berween HLA-851 and HIÀ-Cw7 with psoriasis. It has been reported that HlÀ-DR expression on keratinocl,tes has been observed in various dennatoses. This particular anliBenic expression on dendritic cells andT lynphocytes has been related to their biological behavior, activation and pathogenesis in certain skin diseases. Hl,4-DRwas etpressed in T cell ll,tttphotttos, natnely Mycosisfungoides and Sezary's syndrone. Sone skin tuntors showed. reduction or absence of HlÀ antigetut and certain HIÀ antigen night be protective. However, such relationship was still controversial.